Sexual Assault Awareness Month, which occurs each April, is about more than just raising awareness of sexual violence. It is about coming together, educating communities and taking action. In fact, education and awareness are some of the best ways to prevent sexual violence, sexual harassment and exploitation. One way in which communities can take an active role in raising awareness and supporting survivors is by participating in the annual Denim Day campaign. 

So what is Denim Day? Denim Day was first triggered after a 1998 ruling by the Italian Supreme Court. In this case, a rape conviction was overturned due to the justices’ belief that since the victim was wearing tight jeans, she must have helped her attacker remove them … thereby implying consent. The following day, the women in the Italian Parliament came to work wearing jeans in solidarity with the victim. Since then, wearing jeans on Denim Day has become a worldwide symbol against the misconceptions about sexual violence.

Your support of Denim Day is more important than ever. Participating is easy and you may do so from anywhere by simply wearing jeans. Check out the details below:

Wear jeans on April 27: Show off your favorite pair of jeans as a visible symbol of support for survivors of sexual violence on Denim Day. Get your friends, coworkers or group members involved in sporting denim for the day.

Spread the word on social media: Post your participation photos on April 27 and use the hashtag #denimday. Show off your jeans to friends and followers! 

Display Denim Day flyers and stickers: Place Denim Day flyers in your office breakroom, hang a flyer on your front door/window or place one on a community bulletin board. Someplace Safe also has free Denim Day stickers available to participants to wear on April 27. Contact Someplace Safe at 218-739-3846 ext. 222 or newsletter@someplacesafe.info to request your Denim Day participation packet.

Join the Dollars for Denim Campaign: You may also choose to support Someplace Safe and local survivors of sexual violence by making a monetary contribution on Denim Day. Consider contributing a few dollars for the “privilege” of wearing jeans on April 27. You may also coordinate a Dollars for Denim collection at work, on campus, or within your group.  Your contribution provides critical programming and services for local victims and survivors of sexual violence. Feel free to contact Someplace Safe for a Dollars for Denim collection packet. Then mail your donations to your local office or send to: Someplace Safe, PO Box 815, Fergus Falls, MN 56538-0815. You can also visit www.someplacesafe.info/donate to give quickly and easily online. Feel free to designate your gift to your local office or a specific program.

No matter how you plan to participate in Denim Day this year, you are doing your part in putting an end to sexual violence in the community. For more information on Denim Day, please visit: www.someplacesafe.info/denimday.

About Someplace Safe 

Someplace Safe is a nonprofit agency offering a myriad of services to victims and survivors of crime, families, and communities in a nine-county region in West Central Minnesota. Nearly 4,000 unduplicated local victims of crime are provided services each year through ten Advocacy Offices, five Parenting Time Centers, and three Thrift Stores located in Big Stone, Douglas, Grant, Otter Tail, Pope, Stevens, Traverse, Wadena, and Wilkin Counties. Someplace Safe works to assist victims of domestic violence, sexual assault and exploitation, sex and labor trafficking, and other crimes (including; stalking, elder abuse, identity theft, robbery, theft, etc.), as they navigate the social, emotional and economic impacts faced as victims on the path to becoming survivors. Visit www.someplacesafe.info for more information.